Lionel Messi: resilience towards glory

On July 2, 2005, Messi obtained the title of world champion under 20, scorer and figure of the World Cup and scored two goals in the final, in the Netherlands. On December 18, 2022, Messi wins the senior world champion title in Qatar, receives the World Cup best player award and scores 7 goals in 7 games. In between, more than 17 years passed and several lost finals with the National Team’s shirt, but a recent Maracanazo. A career, a life, a story to tell.

This story can be called “it was possible to have fun like in the little field” (Di María) or perhaps “laughter exceeded tears” or better “Messi plays like forgetting that he is Messi” (Galeano) or simply “everything came out round like a Pizza”.

I had the honor and pride of meeting Leo at the AFA property in 2004, where he had worked since 2000. Also his parents. It was on the occasion of the friendly that was put together so that Spain would not take it away. I was working with him and other stars until the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

He was always humble and good people. Affectionate. Simple. Earthly. Look, it’s quite difficult to be Messi, eh? .Nadal once told him that he did not seem Argentine because he was humble. His parents and the farmhouse instilled in them those values ​​that set him apart.

His start in the senior team did not start in the best way: it was with a quick expulsion. But it is clear that it is how it ends, not how it begins. Along the way there were many frustrations. And one of them (losing a Copa América final on penalties) marked his resignation. As a messista that I always was (in the country of the crack where 30% resisted him) I remember that I understood and supported him. This country did not deserve it. And he continued, despite the anguish and going forward, like when at the age of 13 he only gave himself the injection for the treatment of growth. That’s called resilience: facing adversity, not running away, overcoming it and coming out stronger. His story, his life is like a movie. Selection was elusive. They went through the World Cups with suffering, he seemed not to be entirely happy at times with the light blue and white: 2006, 2010, 2014 and a final that narrowly escaped where he missed a goal that normally does not miss, 2018 and we reached 2022 His fifth world cup. The best world of him. The statistics close everywhere with this enormous achievement. Messi is the king of world football they all shout. For me it already was. He matched Maradona. The comparisons are hateful. He freed himself without Maradona shout others. For me, Scaloni freed him by building a team structure that sheltered and contained him, that he does not have to be the Messiah and the Copa América was the consequence of that. The ball is not always at 10. Now it is more of a leader, they say. He was always a soccer leader and affective, now he has matured and is happy, that is why he drives and inspires the rest. Nothing is random. Life surprises you if you know how to wait. He knew how to wait. God’s timing is perfect, others shout. He says I’d rather be remembered as a good person than as crack. I just say thank you Leo, thank you for being Argentine and for giving us love, identity and belonging. Thank you for teaching us the beautiful lesson that big wins require consistency and persistence.

By Marcelo Roffé-Psychologist, doctor specialized in Clinic and Sports (MN 16699)

by Marcelo Roffé

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